Night Vision Protecting Night Vision

[Namekagon]

I just purchased my first night vison unit, a thin-filmed PVS-14, and I am wondering how careful I need to be with it in regards to light sources.

For example, I think I read that if I'm in a dark room and the lights are flipped on, it should be protected by the autogating. And if the lights say on, the unit would turn off to protect itself. Is that correct?

But what about lights in the environment outside during use? I know you can damage the tube by looking at a non-NV red dot optic long enough. How long is too long? How is glancing at my non-NV holosight for a couple seconds to shoot different than looking towards a house with a porch-light on? Or distant city lights, street lights, comm tower lights, etc? When can looking at light sources like this do damage? I know these are meant for use in urban environments and are designed for use where lights are visible. So when do you worry about light damaging the tube?

As far as IR lasers go, I've read they can damage a tube if the optic takes a direct hit or a strong reflection off a mirror or something. Is that only a problem with full power lasers, or can civi lasers/illuminators do the same thing?

Yes, I could scour the interwebs for some of this info, but I find folks on the Hide more knowledgeable than most. Thanks.

Edited above to clarify question.

 

[Lowdown3]

Turning on and checking your autogated NV unit inside your house before leaving- not an issue.

Don't be "that guy" that leaves the unit on facing his bright kitchen lights however- it will burn the image into the tube.

Glancing at a porch light (normal'ish porch light, not the Retinal Burner 4000 model)- not an issue.

Leaving the unit on facing that porch light for a few hours- will likely burn the image in.

Getting a direct hit with an IR laser on your tube- definitely could/likely will cause your tube issues. Also I've seen two instances of customers "checking sheetrock" at close range inside their houses with the illuminators on- burning the tube with the illuminator. I'm joking of course about the "checking sheetrock"- they are looking for blems- which do you NOT need an IR illuminator to do.

Personally I'm a fan of running LIFs, some poo poo them, I like them and it seems to give me a crisper view of IR lasers that have a fair amount of bloom.

Using your helmet mounted NV to look at a weapon sight (passive aiming)- not an issue.
Mounting ("marrying") your 14 to a rifle sitting behind a bright optic and sitting there for 8 hours at a go- could be an issue burning in the dot to the tube.

Just use common sense when you use your NV and you won't have any issues. More important than worrying about the occasional stray light hitting your tube is making sure you get in the habit of taking the battery out every time when your done using it. Forgetting a battery in a unit for a half of year is a bigger deal than occasionally seeing a light source.

Don't be afraid to USE your NV. Keep in mind it's built tough, built for the 18 year old private that doesn't understand how to be careful with anything.

 

[WhereNow&How]

Don't be "that guy" that leaves the unit on facing his bright kitchen lights however- it will burn the image into the tube.

Yeah, about $42k worth at that.

Too many adult Sasparillas will do that.

Hecque, my Mail Order Russian bride didn't cost 1/2 that.

 

[Boon20]

This might give you an idea. Personaly i wouldnt go this far but thats just me

 

[Namekagon]

Yeah, about $42k worth at that.

Too many adult Sasparillas will do that.

Hecque, my Mail Order Russian bride didn't cost 1/2 that.

What did you do? Did this involve quads or something?

 

[Namekagon]

Turning on and checking your autogated NV unit inside your house before leaving- not an issue.

Don't be "that guy" that leaves the unit on facing his bright kitchen lights however- it will burn the image into the tube.

Glancing at a porch light (normal'ish porch light, not the Retinal Burner 4000 model)- not an issue.

Leaving the unit on facing that porch light for a few hours- will likely burn the image in.

Getting a direct hit with an IR laser on your tube- definitely could/likely will cause your tube issues. Also I've seen two instances of customers "checking sheetrock" at close range inside their houses with the illuminators on- burning the tube with the illuminator. I'm joking of course about the "checking sheetrock"- they are looking for blems- which do you NOT need an IR illuminator to do.

Personally I'm a fan of running LIFs, some poo poo them, I like them and it seems to give me a crisper view of IR lasers that have a fair amount of bloom.

Using your helmet mounted NV to look at a weapon sight (passive aiming)- not an issue.
Mounting ("marrying") your 14 to a rifle sitting behind a bright optic and sitting there for 8 hours at a go- could be an issue burning in the dot to the tube.

Just use common sense when you use your NV and you won't have any issues. More important than worrying about the occasional stray light hitting your tube is making sure you get in the habit of taking the battery out every time when your done using it. Forgetting a battery in a unit for a half of year is a bigger deal than occasionally seeing a light source.

Don't be afraid to USE your NV. Keep in mind it's built tough, built for the 18 year old private that doesn't understand how to be careful with anything.

Thank you, that helps alot. I'm gathering that time of exposure is really the main concern for getting damage to the tube (lasers excluded).

I will have to look into maybe getting an LIF.

 

[MK20]

Why is a LIF.

 

[CoryT]

Why is Gamorra?

I'm going to guess the question is what rather than why. Light Interference Filter. They act both as a sacrificial lens protector and a limiter on damage from lasers by blocking certain wavelengths. It's main effect is on the green section of the spectrum, rendering green visible lasers almost invisible. Note that it will not protect the tube from IR lasers

 

[WhereNow&How]

What did you do? Did this involve quads or something?

I DinDoNuffins. That ain't my heat to ride.

It was an industry owner Gent that did that. Yes, it was a L3 HARRIS GPNVG GROUND PANORAMIC NIGHT VISION GOGGLE

So Boss Man had some friends over for drinks and cubans to show off the PANOS and I guess they partied a little too much. So the PANOS were left on a table turned on and burned a permanent image of his kitchen into the tubes.

 

[cschastain2]

That’s awful...I feel big time bad for them

 

[Bevo]

I DinDoNuffins. That ain't my heat to ride.

It was an industry owner Gent that did that. Yes, it was a L3 HARRIS GPNVG GROUND PANORAMIC NIGHT VISION GOGGLE

So Boss Man had some friends over for drinks and cubans to show off the PANOS and I guess they partied a little too much. So the PANOS were left on a table turned on and burned a permanent image of his kitchen into the tubes.

That's an expensive dinner party.

 

[nutation]

Why is Gamorra?

I'm going to guess the question is what rather than why. Light Interference Filter. They act both as a sacrificial lens protector and a limiter on damage from lasers by blocking certain wavelengths. It's main effect is on the green section of the spectrum, rendering green visible lasers almost invisible. Note that it will not protect the tube from IR lasers

Here is a video of a LIF in action. It shows the view through a PVS-14 as the filter is repeatedly moved in front of the objective. The green laser beam vanishes, the IR one does not.

 

[jwramp]

I would definitely skip the LIFs and go for a clear filter if anything. Why cut parts of the light spectrum from visibility to a device that's trying to scrape photons from anywhere it can find them?

 

[Lowdown3]

LIFs definitely aren't for everyone, *TO ME* I don't really see any difference in image, but then again maybe my eyes suck
And I definitely like the less bloom seen on IR lasers with them.

 

[556nateo]

From my experience with filmless WP 20ua L3 tubes, they do fine with outdoor lights. I hunt a lot, and many times I have scanned them across barn lights etc. SOMETIMES if the light is really bright and close enough they will burn the tubes temporarily. 10-15 minutes later the streak will disappear.

Any laser can burn them. Be careful in that regard. Same goes for non-NV red dots. One thing I love about PEQ-15s is the diffuser cap. When I am indoors or using them laser at very close distances I put the cap over which dulls the laser significantly.

 

[WhereNow&How]

Any laser can burn them. Be careful in that regard. Same goes for non-NV red dots.

Even NV compatible Red Dots with NV settings can also burn a permanent dot in a tube if left on for long enough in one continuous spot in front of the tube.

Be extremely careful with ANY light source that stays in one spot on a tube or you might get a "custom tattooed" image in that tube.

 

[deersniper]

I DinDoNuffins. That ain't my heat to ride.

It was an industry owner Gent that did that. Yes, it was a L3 HARRIS GPNVG GROUND PANORAMIC NIGHT VISION GOGGLE

So Boss Man had some friends over for drinks and cubans to show off the PANOS and I guess they partied a little too much. So the PANOS were left on a table turned on and burned a permanent image of his kitchen into the tubes.

Please tell me it was dbag Vic the dic

 

[WhereNow&How]

Please tell me it was dbag Vic the dic

The one and only.